Words cannot express how much I loathe Kyle Korver. He really is a used condom. He essentially cost the Bulls the game tonight against the Magic. Now Derrick Rose didn't exactly have an MVP type game shooting 6-22. However, he gets a pass because even in a bad shooting game he still had 17 pts and 9 assists. He also won the game the night before in Milwaukee on a buzzer beater.
What eats at me the most is Korver being on the floor for 30 minutes. His defense is embarrassing; He constantly gets beaten on the back door play. If he's not making the shot that even has him on the floor--then why keep him out there? The amazing thing is, the so-called specialist only shoots 42% from downtown. Three Bulls shoot a higher percentage. There was one possession late 4th quarter with the Bulls up 2. Korver had a wide open look and missed. The Bulls got the rebound and kicked it back out--he missed again. Then on an inbound play he caught the ball after 2 Magic players collided and fell down, he stepped back to the line and missed again. Painful to watch.
The Bulls were playing their 4th game in 5 nights and had won 8 straight games, so losing to a team like the Magic is not a bad loss. Plus, once again Richard Hamilton is out, this time with a new injury, his shoulder. I'm starting to wonder what kind of impact he will have on the postseason. Will he even play? The thing that annoys me about this loss was the shooting. If they want to beat the Heat they cannot shoot 40%. Luol Deng had a disastrous 1-9, 5 point effort. Once again, they will not beat the Heat if he's not involved and making shots. To my surprise Carlos Boozer actually has been playing well lately. His defense is always awful, but offensively he has been providing a spark.
Now without Hamilton they need to do a better job of getting Luol Deng the ball and not just on drive and kick plays. They need to set more screens and free him up. I can't understand his lack of involvement in the offense. Rose shouldn't be taking 22 shots to his 9. That is my biggest concern for the postseason.Next Wednesday will be a big test to see how they handle Miami. If they lose on their home floor I will be convinced they have no chance of beating the Heat in the postseason.
The Knicks need to be careful with their upcoming schedule before this road trip turns into a free fall. If there is ever a must win game it's in Milwaukee. For all those focused on the Knicks somehow winning the division, you should probably take a look at the standings and notice the knicks are closer to being caught for the 8 seed than they are of winning the Atlantic division.
Now while it would take a monumental collapse for that to occur; mainly due to how bad the teams are behind them. I think it would be foolish to think it can't happen. And everyone should be well aware of how much Brandon Jennings loves to torch the Knicks. Not to mention the concern defensively should Chandler and Jeffries miss another game.
I was stunned with how well the Bucks played the Bulls Wednesday. Now they were dominated in the previous three games, so professional pride had to play a part in their effort. I was just shocked how ersan illyisova dominated the Bulls front court. Do not dismiss this team. The game will mean a lot knowing how close they are in the standings.
Baron Davis has been a real savior hasn't he? Look at the team's record since Melo returned and since Davis and Smith started playing. How many Knick fans would have rather seen the team that won 7 games in a row continue to play without the aforementioned three nowhere near the court?
The most ridiculous thing I've heard is Melo can't play in D'Antoni's offense. Two of the greatest scorers in the history of the game, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant conformed to a system. Now while the triangle offense was comprised of good ball movement and post sets, ultimately both Jordan and Bryant ended up with the ball as the shot clock winded down.
Which is why I can't fathom how Melo can only be effective in isolation plays. It's such a selfish mentality to think you can only get your points if you dominate the ball. How about making quicker decisions and not needing 10 or more seconds to size up a defender to just force shots? It's a shame because he is a skilled player. He just doesn't get it.
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